Accessibility

ScotlandsPeople accessibility statement

The National Records of Scotland (NRS) is committed to ensuring that the ScotlandsPeople website is accessible to the widest possible range of people. This includes users with sight problems, hearing, mobility and cognitive impairments. The purpose of the website is to allow you to search for official and historical records and to buy copies:

for legal or official purposes, or

to carry out historical and other research, including family history, social and economic history, biography and local history.

If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the accessibility of this site, or if you have difficulty using any part of it, please contact us by e-mail.

Accessibility features

The design of this website includes a number of accessibility features including:

• alternative text for non-text content
• access keys
• print-friendly pages
• the ability to adjust text size, text colour and font
• the ability to adjust the contrast and brightness of images
• minimal use of Adobe PDF files
• compatibility with screen readers
• use of cascading style sheets
• use of contrasting colours
• use of clear outlined boxes to identify where text can be inserted

Alternative text for non-text content

Adding alternative text for images is the first principle of web accessibility and provides a textual alternative to non-text content in web pages. In addition, any search results that are shown using a map or geographical display are also made available as text.

Access keys

Basic access keys have been added as follows:

• H for Home
• A for My account dropdown (or login prompt if not logged in)

Instructions for using the access keys depends on the operating system you are using:

Windows

• Hold the ALT key.
• Press the access key.
• Release both the ALT key and the access key and press return.

Macintosh

• Hold the CTRL key.
• Press the access key.
• Release both the CTRL key and the access key and press return.

Print-friendly pages

All pages on this website have been optimised for printing through the use of print-specific stylesheets.

Adjusting the text size

Most web browsers allow you to change the text size. The instructions below are an example of how to do this using Internet Explorer (version 9 or above). If you are using another browser then please look for similar instructions in ‘Help’ within your web browser’s top menu.

• Press "Ctrl" and "+" keys together to zoom in on a page.
• Repeat it until the size of text is as required.

• Press "Ctrl" and "-" keys together to zoom out on a page.
• Repeat it until the size of text is as required.

Adjusting the text colour or font

Most web browsers allow you to change the text colour and font. The instructions below are an example of how to do this using Internet Explorer (version 9 or above). If you are using another browser then please look for similar instructions in ‘Help’ within your web browser’s top menu.

Firstly, you will need to override the website styles.

• From the 'Tools' menu, select 'Internet options'.
• On the ‘General’ tab, choose the 'Accessibility' button (bottom-right).
• Select the boxes that are relevant to your needs.
• Select 'OK' to return to the 'Internet options' menu.

Then you will be able to alter the text colour or font as follows:

• From the 'Tools' menu, select 'Internet options'.
• On the ‘General’ tab, choose the 'Colors' button (bottom-left).
• Deselect 'Use Windows Colors' and set the colours you want.
• Select 'OK' to return to the ‘Internet options’ menu.

And you will be able to alter the text font as follows:

• From the 'Tools' menu, select 'Internet options'.
• On the ‘General’ tab, choose the 'Fonts' button (bottom-right).
• Set the font you want.
• Select 'OK' to return to the ‘Internet options’ menu.
• Select 'OK' to close 'Internet options' dialog box.

Adobe PDF files

We have kept the use of PDF files to a minimum across the ScotlandsPeople website. To view PDF files you will need Adobe Reader which can be downloaded for free from the Adobe Acrobat website. Also on the Adobe Acrobat website are online conversion tools for Adobe PDF documents which will convert PDFs to text.

Further help

Some of our records cannot be processed in a fully accessible format.

If you require assistance or have any questions relating to your use of this Website then please write to: ScotlandsPeople Customer Services, National Records of Scotland (NRS), New Register House, 3 West Register Street, Edinburgh, Scotland EH1 3YT or contact us by e-mail.